Sharpening a Benchmade Bugout

[Pete123]

Im moving through my journey in learning to hone knives. I read about h9w the Bugout comes from the factory. I decided to do the magic marker test. Though, the Benchnmade process sharpening process leave sharpening scratches moving away from the bevel. I'm using DMT Aligner Pro Kit and it leaves its scratches along the bevel, so it's easy to see what is happening.

I have it set for a 17 degree angle. on one side of the blade the angle closely matches what Benchmark sent. one the other side, there are still Benchmark scratches next to the cutting edge of the bevel.

So, my best guess is that either I'm doing something with one hand that doesn't match the other hand, though I think the Pro Kit keeps everything the same if you are careful to keep the blade flat on the diamond. The other woud be the Benchmade does some manual sharpening and didn't get both sides exactly the same.

Having said that, I'm hoping someone with more knowledge and experience can shed some light.

 

[Valkyr]

The factory bevels may not be even.

Take a marker and color the edge. Take a couple of light passes and see what is still there. Adjust your guide rod in different slots until it is gone, which will allow you to hit the apex.

Once you have that, record what that angle is. You can then start to change that angle to match better during later sessions.

Your kit has fixed angles so you might have to try the slots just above or below your 17, probably the slightly higher angle.

You have two choices ultimately. Either adjust over time or spend time right now matching the angles. Personally I would adjust over time.

 

[Pete123]

The factory bevels may not be even.

Take a marker and color the edge. Take a couple of light passes and see what is still there. Adjust your guide rod in different slots until it is gone, which will allow you to hit the apex.

Once you have that, record what that angle is. You can then start to change that angle to match better during later sessions.

Your kit has fixed angles so you might have to try the slots just above or below your 17, probably the slightly higher angle.

You have two choices ultimately. Either adjust over time or spend time right now matching the angles. Personally I would adjust over time.

Thank you sir!!!

 

[Unicorn161]

Doesn't Benchmade still freehand sharpen on belts? Sometimes they have what seems a new employee doing this and the angles aren't the same on both sides.

 

[Valkyr]

I believe that they are still doing freehand work on belts. Someone who knows more may correct me.

It may be only a degree or maybe two difference which I can understand, especially switching from strong to weak side and in a production environment. Not necessarily a "new" person issue, but not uncommon by any stretch.

From the perspective of production work, the use of a fixed angle guide that attaches to the blade may be inefficient time wise. The Bugout series is a high production model and they probably reserve guides and the like for their Gold class or whatever they call the top tier stuff.